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Hey y’all!! I’m looking to start a horse tack painting business, and I can’t find much information on the painting part specifically for tack. I don’t want to make my own tack, I just want to buy it wholesale and paint it. I know I need leather paint, the tack needs to already be tooled and all that, but what else do I need to know? Somebody mentioned today at my work that I couldn’t paint already made tack because it was oiled? Is that true? If it is, is there something I can do about it or somewhere I can buy already tooled tack that hasn’t been oiled? All I can find is tack blanks that haven’t been tooled and haven’t been made into the whole piece yet.I painted a tooled belt using regular acrylic paint and have worn it almost daily for a couple months, it it still looks great other than where the buckle holes are. Any help I can get would be great! Thank y’all in advance!!

Hello! I am just getting started in leathercrafting. I want to make horse tack, and maybe branch off into other areas later. I have extensively researched leathercrafting, so I've already got a pretty good idea of the steps and techniques involved. I want to make a western style headstall (bridle), as they are simple and somewhat similar to making belts. Basically what I want to do is a stamped design along the cheek pieces and possibly the browband as well. To do this, I know that I will need tooling leather at least for the stamped pieces. I wanted to line/glue and stitch the tooling leather on top of either harness or latigo leather, for its sturdiness and resistance to water/sweat. Is this a good plan? What size leather should I get? Should the tooling leather be heavier, or the lining? (ex. 8 oz tooling leather, 2 oz lining, or vice versa). Would it work if I went with a lighter tooling leather and heavier lining, since the latigo or harness I want to line with usually comes in heavier pieces? Also, can anyone give me an idea of how many items you can make out of a double shoulder or a side? Specifically how many straps you can get out of one, for belts or bridles, etc. My last question is on what tools I need. Making bridles is somewhat similar to making belts. I have made up a list here, if you all could tell me what is unnecessary (besides the leather marking pen) and what I don't have that I should have, I would greatly appreciate it! I want to be well prepared, but not buying more than I have to. Carving Stamp Leather Marking Pen Strap Cutter Leather punch Stitching punch or chisels Harness needles Thread Edge Slicker Skiver Edge Beveler Tandy's Horse tack accessory patterns Book on handstitching Thank you all so much for your time and input! I can't wait to learn leathercraft

I've got an up-and-coming business venture that I'm at the point where I am looking for a manufacturer/supplier. I am looking for someone who is looking to grow as my business does. I am starting on a small scale and ramping up as the brand grows. What I need is someone who has experience in making English bridles and is willing to work with me on what I want. I'd prefer someone in the US. Please inquire with me if you might be interested in learning more.

Hey everyone!! My name is Casey, and am a new registrant to this site. This is certainly not my first visit to the site, I have been perusing all of your fine work for quite some time now.... just got the oomph to register and start participating/trading ideas from people all around the world!! A little background on my horse/leather history... I apprenticed under a saddle maker, who was from a time when horses were for function, not for fun. I learned all of the basics of structure, strength, ingenuity, and got a daily dose of horse history just about everyday. My teacher is a wonderful man...but he was certainly not about all the "fru-fru"...carving, stamping, etc... So, after I apprenticed with him, and learned all I thought he had to teach me, I started doing a carving seminar here and there, and decided that most of it was pretty basic. After I learned the basic tools for carving, and painting, dying, and stamping; I set out on my own. Headstrong girl, working in an industry that had been male dominant for centuries. It has been trying at times... I have definitely had as many good days as bad, and as many mistakes as successes; and has overall been a very rewarding career thus far. I own 9 horses, 2 ponies, and my resident mule (Bartholomule haha). Most of them are saddle horses, meant for ranching/cutting/riding pens, and even the occasional lazy day when we just go out for a trail ride. I own a halfling and a draft horse (a 2 year old Pertrand filly) that has been stealing my heart the last couple of months. I do own a few carts, and a wagon, and have broke 3 of my horses to pull, and both my ponies as well. We participate in the city parade every year, and boy do we get dolled up to go!! My horses are my life, any time not spent working on my leather i spent learning new things with my horses. They are all such adorable characters, and they never cease to surprise me with the willingness they have to put up with my (sometimes annoying) persistence. My life wouldnt be the same without them, and I like to think that they like me as well ) It is nice to meet you all, and look forward to learning along with you!